CHIEF executive Richard FitzGerald says Villa aim to make tomorrow's 25th anniversary celebrations one of the most memorable occasions in the club's long and illustrious history.

CHIEF executive Richard FitzGerald says Villa aim to make tomorrow's 25th anniversary celebrations one of the most memorable occasions in the club's long and illustrious history.

"This is the celebration of the greatest event in the club's 133-year history," he said. "It's about honouring that squad - a lot of them were very local - but it's also about honouring the fans, particularly the Holte End fans who were here in 1982 and have been here for the 25 years since."

There is the added bonus tomorrow of the pitch carrying a star design cut into the pattern of the grass across the centre-circle.

The unique idea is the brainchild of groundsman Jonathan Calderwood who said: "I wanted to do something different to celebrate the occasion and originally wanted to cut 25 and a star but Premier League rules blocked it."

FitzGerald is confident the supporters will raise the roof to honour their heroes of yesteryear.

"Clearly it's about Dennis Mortimer and the squad because it was a pretty significant achievement by anyone's standards.

"But it's about the two things together, players and fans, and that's why we arranged the fans' forum tonight - a 700 sell-out - which we're dressing up as a 'Back to Rotterdam' theme to try to enhance the experience. That's a great way to start.

"Moving on to tomorrow, it's very special to honour the team before the game - which is now a sell-out - and we're going to honour the team with the 42,000 free scarves."

FitzGerald hopes Villa will not have to wait another 25 years before their next European Cup, but recognises nothing is guaranteed in football.

"It's about our proud history and it's about acknowledging that. It's an important time, 25 years, and it's important we do celebrate it.

"At the same time, it's about the future and so it's also about where we want to get to and we don't want it to be another 25 years before we have nights like that. Of course you can't guarantee things like that."

Every one of Villa's victorious squad will be present. FitzGerald added: "At this moment, they are all scheduled to be here - the last player, Jimmy Rimmer, confirmed on Wednesday."